On the 30th September 2022, the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) launched a new service dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors impacted by Mother & Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
In line with the recommendation for support services, these have been designed with victim and survivor groups and others to make sure they are survivor-led, accessible and responsive.
VSS works in partnership with WAVE Trauma Centre and Adopt NI to deliver a range of support and services regionally across NI. These include dedicated health and wellbeing caseworkers, counselling, complementary therapies, information recovery & family tracing, disability aids, persistent pain and a range of other social and welfare support.
Victims and Survivors Service website
1st Floor, Seatem House
28-32 Alfred Street
Belfast
BT2 8EN
United Kingdom
Phone 028 9027 9100
Email [email protected]
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
As well as the support and services which VSS provide to victims-survivors on behalf of The Executive Office there are other local services available who may be able to help with access to records. Additionally, given the sometimes cross-border and international transfer of woman and children, there are also agencies and groups who are based in the south of Ireland, and internationally, which may be useful.
Birth Mothers and their Children for Justice N.I We were founded in 2013 and are the longest established Support and Campaign Group interacting with MLA’s past and present, TEO and now the newly formed Independent Panel. We offer support and a listening ear to Birth Mothers, their now Adult Children and anyone impacted by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Adoption Apology is a non-profit organisation supporting mothers, fathers, adoptees, siblings and families in their fight for justice.
Truth Recovery Northern Ireland TRNI is a group consisting mainly of adopted adults and mothers who were born or resident in Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries or workhouses in Northern Ireland, who are striving to ensure the complete implementation of the Truth Recovery Report recommendations.
Victim Support NI is an independent charity which helps people affected by crime of all kinds.
Agencies/Groups based in ROI
Adoptee Rights Alliance is a group advocating equal human and civil rights for those affected by Ireland’s closed secret adoption system.
Aitheantas is an Adoptee Identity Rights group campaigning to give Irish adoptees access to their own birth information.
CLANN Project is an initiative established to find the truth of what happened to unmarried mothers and their children in 20th century Ireland.
Coalition of Mother and Baby Home Survivors is a loose umbrella group of several survivor groups fighting for truth and justice for all survivors of Mother and Baby homes, Catholic or Protestant, and all victims of the forced separation of single Mothers and their children from 1922.
Tuam Home Survivors Network consists of survivors, family members and advocates who seek to inform and obtain a factual representation of this dark period in our recent history.
Agencies/Groups based internationally
Adoption Rights Australia Inc. is established by adopted persons to give a national voice to their lived experience of adoption in Australia.
United Adoptees International is a special interest organisation commited to standing up for nationally and inter-country adoptees, in response to a need for more attention and justice for the position of (adult) adoptees.